Weldless Shelf Assemblies for Merchandising Display Cases

ABSTRACT

The present application provides a shelf assembly for a display case. The shelf assembly may include a shelf, a pair of shelf brackets with a shelf bracket pocket, and a support rail with a pair of tabs. The support rail extends between the pair of shelf brackets and the tabs of the support rail fit with the shelf bracket pockets of the pair of shelf brackets.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application and the resultant patent relate generally to amerchandising display case and more particularly relate to arefrigerated merchandising display case and the like with shelfassemblies having snap fit support rails instead of welded componentsfor ease of installation and increased material options.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The modern supermarket may have any number of refrigerated display casesto store and display different types of frozen and refrigeratedproducts. Many different types of refrigerated display cases may beused, including multi-deck coolers, reach-in coolers, and the like. Therefrigerated display cases are generally modular in nature such that anynumber of individual units may be combined to create a display case ofany suitable length or size. Although the components of a refrigerateddisplay case may be substantially modular in nature, the installation ofsuch a refrigerated display case may involve a considerable amount ofon-site labor to install the refrigeration components, the plumbing, theshelves, the lighting, the controls, and other types of components.

For example, conventional shelving assemblies may include a number ofshelves with each shelf supported by pair of shelf brackets connected atopposite sides thereof. A number of connecting support rails may besecured between the shelf and the shelf brackets to reinforce theconnections. The components of the shelf assemblies generally may bewelded together so as to be permanently assembled. Specifically, a shelfassembly may be assembled by welding or spot welding on-site. Suchwelding may be time consuming and labor intensive.

There is thus a desire for an improved refrigerated display case and amethod of installing the same. The installation and assembly of such animproved refrigerated display case or other type of merchandisingdisplay case and the like may be simplified through the use of fewerparts and overall lighter parts in a modular construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application and the resultant patent thus provide a shelfassembly for a display case. The shelf assembly may include a shelf, apair of shelf brackets with a shelf bracket pocket, and a support railwith a pair of tabs. The support rail extends between the pair of shelfbrackets and the tabs of the support rail fit with the shelf bracketpockets of the pair of shelf brackets.

The present application and the resultant patent further provide amethod of assembling a shelf assembly for use in a display case. Themethod may include the steps of positioning a support rail between apair of shelf brackets by inserting a first tab of the support rail intoa first shelf bracket pocket of the first shelf bracket and a second tabof the support rail into a second shelf bracket pocket of the secondshelf bracket, positioning a shelf on the pair of shelf brackets, andpositioning the pair of shelf brackets within a pair of shelf standards

The present application and the resultant patent further provide arefrigerated display case. The display case may include a display spaceand a number of shelf assemblies extending into the display space. Theshelf assemblies may include a pair of shelf brackets with a shelfbracket pocket and a support rail with a pair of tabs. The support railextends between the pair of shelf brackets and the tabs of the supportrail fit with the shelf bracket pockets of the pair of shelf brackets.

These and other features and improvements of the present application andthe resultant patent will become apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art upon review of the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a known refrigerateddisplay case in the form of a reach-in cooler.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a known refrigerateddisplay case in the form of a multi-deck cooler.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a known shelf assembly with spot weldedconnections.

FIG. 4A is perspective view of a shelf of a snap fit shelf assembly asmay be described herein.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of a shelf bracket and a number of supportrails of the snap fit shelf assembly as may be described herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a shelf bracket that may beused with the snap fit shelf assembly of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a support rail that may beused with the snap fit shelf assembly of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the snap fit shelf assemblyof FIG. 4B.

FIG. 8 is a further perspective view of a portion of the snap fit shelfassembly of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the snap fit shelf assemblyof FIG. 4B with a lighting fixture.

FIG. 10 is a partial front plan view of a shelf bracket that may be usedwith the snap fit shelf assembly of FIG. 4B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to likeelements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show examplesof a refrigerated display case 10. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows therefrigerated display case 10 in the form of a reach-in cooler 15 whileFIG. 2 shows the refrigerated display case 10 in the form of amulti-deck cooler 20. In both examples, the refrigerated display case 10may be substantially modular and may extend to any suitable length orsize. The refrigerated display case 10 may define a refrigerated displayspace 25 therein. Any type or number of refrigerated or frozen productsmay be positioned within the refrigerated display space 25. Therefrigerated display case 10 and the components thereof may have anysuitable size, shape, or configuration. Non-refrigerated or heatedmerchandising display cases also may be used herein.

Generally described, the refrigerated display case 10 may include an aftwall 30. The aft wall 30 may include a number of insulated panels andmay define an air plenum therethrough for a flow of refrigerated airinto the refrigerated space 25. In the case of the reach-in cooler 15,the reach-in cooler 15 also may include a number of door panels 35enclosing the refrigerated display space 25. The door panels 35 may haveany suitable size, shape, or configuration. The door panels 35 may betransparent in whole or in part. In the case of the multi-deck cooler20, the refrigerated display space 25 of the multi-deck cooler 20 may belargely open to the consumer although an air curtain and the like may beused. A number of shelf standards 40 may be positioned about the aftwall 30. The shelf standards 40 may be made out of any type ofsubstantially rigid metallic materials or other type of load bearingmaterial. The shelf standards 40 may support a number of shelfassemblies 45 thereon. The shelf assemblies 45 may have any suitablesize, shape, or configuration.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a known shelf assembly 45. The shelf assembly45 may include a shelf 50. The shelf 50 generally may be made out of asubstantially rigid metallic material and the like. The shelf 50generally may be rectangular but may have any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. The shelf 50 may sit on a pair of shelf brackets 55. Theshelf brackets 55 may have a number of anchor tabs 60 at one endthereof. The anchor tabs 60 may secure the shelf brackets 55 withinapertures of the shelf standard 40. A number of support rails 65 may beattached to the bottom of the shelf 50 and generally may extend thelength of the shelf 50 between the shelf brackets 55. The support rails65 may be hat-like in shape and may be welded to the bottom of the shelf50. The support rails 65 may be made out of a substantially rigidmetallic material and the like. The metallic material may be required toaccommodate welding. The shelf assembly 45 described herein is forpurpose of example only. Many other types of shelf assemblies may beused.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of a shelf assembly 100 as may bedescribed herein. The shelf assembly 100 may include a shelf 110. Theshelf 110 may be made out of any type of substantially rigid metallicmaterial. Alternatively, the shelf 110 also may be made out of othertypes of substantially rigid materials including thermoplastics,composites, and the like. These other materials may be used becausewelding the components of the shelf assembly 100 may not be required.The shelf 110 may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

As is shown in FIGS. 4B and 5, the shelf assembly 100 may include a pairof shelf brackets 120. Generally described, the shelf brackets 120 mayinclude a skirt portion 130 with a lip portion 140 extending therefromat a substantially right angle. The skirt portion 130 and the lipportion 140 may extend along at least a portion of the length of theshelf bracket 120. The skirt portion 130 and the lip portion 140 mayhave any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The shelf 110 may restupon the lip portion 140 of the shelf bracket 120. The skirt portion 130may have a number of support ribs 150 formed therein. Any number ofsupport ribs 150 may be used in any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. A number of anchoring tabs 160 may extend from the skirtportion 130. The anchoring tabs 160 may be sized and shaped so as to bepositioned within the apertures of the shelf standard 40. Any number ofthe anchoring tabs 160 may be used herein in any suitable size, shape,or configuration. The shelf brackets 120 may be made out of any type ofsubstantially rigid metallic material. Alternatively, other types ofsubstantially rigid materials such as thermoplastics, composites, andthe like may be used.

The shelf brackets 120 also may include a number of shelf bracketpockets 170 positioned along the skirt portion 130 or elsewhere.Although three shelf bracket pockets 170 are shown, any number may beused herein. The shelf bracket pockets 170 may include an inwardlydented portion 180. The inwardly dented portion 180 may form a slot 190therethrough. Any number of the shelf bracket pockets 170 may be usedherein in any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

As is shown in FIGS. 4B and 6, the shelf assembly 100 also may include anumber of support rails 200. The support rails 200 may extend betweenand connect to the shelf brackets 120. The support rails 200 may includea first wall 210, a second wall 220, and a connecting wall 230 forming asubstantial U-like shape. The first wall 210, the second wall 220, andthe connecting wall 230 may extend between a pair of rail ends 240. Thefirst wall 210, the second wall 220, and the connecting wall 230 mayhave any suitable size, shape, or configuration. The first wall 210 mayhave an indented or a channeled portion 250 at both of the ends 240. Thechanneled portion 250 may have any suitable size, shape, orconfiguration. The connecting wall 230 may have a locking tab 260extending therefrom. The locking tab 260 may extend between the walls210, 220 or positioned otherwise. The locking tab 260 may be sized andshaped so as to fit within the slot 190 of the shelf brackets 120. Thelocking tab 260 and the slot 190 may have any type of complimentaryshapes. The support rails 200 may be made out of any type ofsubstantially rigid metallic material. Alternatively, any other type ofsubstantially rigid material may be used herein includingthermoplastics, composites, and the like. Other components and otherconfigurations may be used herein.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show one of the support rails 200 attached to one of theshelf brackets 120. Specifically, the channeled portion 250 at the end240 of the support rail 200 aligns underneath the lip 140 of the shelfbracket 120. The locking tab 260 then may be inserted within the slot190 of the shelf bracket pockets 170 so as to be secured therein.Specifically, the locking tab 260 may be positioned with the slot 190 inlargely a snap fit like manner. The shelf 110 then may be positioned ontop of the shelf brackets 120 and the support rails 200. Other orders ofassembly may be used herein. The shelf assembly 100 may be disassembledin a substantially reversed manner. The shelf assembly 100 thus may bequickly and easily assembled on-site or elsewhere without the need forwelding or other types of permanent assembly means.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the shelf assembly 100. In thisexample, the one or more of the support rails 200 may have an LEDbracket 270 attached thereto. The LED bracket 270 may have any suitablesize, shape, or configuration. The LED bracket 270 may be attached viascrews, bolts, or other types of fastening means. Alternatively, the LEDbracket 270 also could be a snap fit into the support rail 200. Aconventional LED fixture 280 may be inserted within the LED bracket 270.Other types of lighting devices and the like may be used herein. Othertypes of auxiliary accessories and components also may be attachedhereto. Other types of functional and other components also may be usedherein.

As described above, the shelf brackets 120 may be strengthened by theuse of the ribs 150 formed therein. As is shown in FIGS. 4B, 7, and 10,one or more of the anchoring tabs 160 also may include a teardrop hem290 thereon for additional strength. The teardrop hem 290 may wraparound at least a portion of the anchoring tabs 160 in whole or in-part.The teardrop hem 290 may be in the form of a teardrop configuration 300for increased strength. The teardrop hem 290 and the teardropconfiguration 300 may have any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

The shelf assembly 100 described herein thus provides for ease ofinstallation and assembly without the use of time consuming welding andthe like. The shelf assembly 100 provides for ease of installation whileproviding improved shelf loading with reduced deflection. Moreover,given the lack of welding, the shelf assembly 100 and the componentsthereof may be made out of materials other than metals. For example,thermoplastics, composites, and the like may be used herein so as toprovide reduced costs and reduce overall weight.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certainembodiments of the present application and the resultant patent.Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalentsthereof.

1. A shelf assembly for a display case having a lateral dimensionhorizontally along a front of the display case, a traverse dimensionextending horizontally and perpendicular to the lateral dimension, and avertical dimension parallel to a gravitation field, the shelf assemblycomprising: a shelf extending laterally when in an assembled position; apair of shelf brackets sized and configured to couple with shelfstandards on a back wall of the display case, each shelf bracket havinga skirt portion that extends substantially vertically when in theassembled position and a lip portion extending from the skirt portion atsubstantially a right angle; each of the shelf brackets comprising ashelf bracket pocket formed on the skirt portion and extending parallelto the traverse dimension; a support rail comprising a central portionwith a first height and a channeled portion with a second height, thechanneled portion positioned at an end of the support rail, wherein thesecond height is less than the first height, and wherein the secondheight is such that the second height added to a thickness of the lipportion is substantially equal to the first height; the support railcomprising a pair of tabs, with one of said tabs on each end of thesupport rail that extend parallel to the traverse dimension when in theassembled position each tab has an unattached end for inserting into oneof the shelf bracket pockets; and wherein the support rail extendsbetween the pair of shelf brackets and the tabs of the support rail fitwith the shelf bracket pockets of the pair of shelf brackets when in theassembled position.
 2. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelfsits on the lip portion of each shelf bracket.
 3. (canceled)
 4. Theshelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the skirt portion comprises aplurality of support ribs therein.
 5. The shelf assembly of claim 1,wherein the shelf bracket comprises a plurality of anchor tabs.
 6. Theshelf assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of anchor tabscomprises a hem with a tear drop configuration.
 7. The shelf assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the shelf bracket pocket comprise an indented portionand a slot therethrough.
 8. The shelf assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of support rails and a plurality of shelf bracketpockets.
 9. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the support railcomprises a first wall extending in a traverse direction in theassembled position and coupled to a connecting wall, the connecting wallextending vertically in the assembled position and coupled to a secondwall extending in a traverse direction in the assembled position. 10.The shelf assembly of claim 9, wherein the channeled portion is formedby the first wall and wherein the connecting wall comprises the tab. 11.The shelf assembly of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary componentbracket coupled to at least one end of the support rail.
 12. The shelfassembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf comprises a thermoplasticmaterial or a composite material.
 13. The shelf assembly of claim 1,wherein the pair of shelf brackets comprises a thermoplastic material ora composite material.
 14. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein thesupport rail comprises a thermoplastic material or a composite material.15. A method of assembling a shelf assembly for use in a display casehaving a lateral dimension extending horizontally along a front of thedisplay case and a traverse dimension extending substantially horizontaland perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, comprising: wherein theshelf assembly comprises: a shelf extending laterally when in anassembled position, a pair of shelf brackets sized and configured tocouple with shelf standards on a back wall of the display case, eachshelf bracket having a skirt portion that extends substantiallyvertically when in the assembled position and a lip portion extendingfrom the skirt portion at substantially a right angle, each of the shelfbrackets comprising a shelf bracket pocket formed on the skirt portionand extending parallel to the traverse dimension, a support railcomprising a central portion with a first height and a channeled portionwith a second height, the channeled portion positioned at the end of thesupport rail, wherein the second height is less than the first height,the support rail comprising a first tab and a second tab that eachextend substantially horizontal and parallel to the traverse dimensionwhen in the assembled position, and wherein the support rail extendsbetween the pair of shelf brackets and the tabs of the support rail fitwith the shelf bracket pockets of the pair of shelf brackets when in theassembled position; positioning the support rail between the pair ofshelf brackets by inserting substantially horizontally and in a traversedirection the first tab of the support rail into a first shelf bracketpocket of the pair of shelf brackets and by inserting the second tab ofthe support rail in a traverse direction into a second shelf bracketpocket of the pair of shelf brackets, such that the lip portion of thefirst shelf bracket is positioned over the channeled portion of thesupport rail; positioning a shelf on the pair of shelf brackets; andpositioning the pair of shelf brackets within a pair of shelf standards.16. A refrigerated display case having a lateral dimension extendinghorizontally and along a front of the refrigerated display case and atraverse dimension extending horizontally and perpendicular to thelongitudinal dimension, comprising: a display space formed by aplurality of walls including a back wall; a plurality of shelf standardscoupled to the back wall; a plurality of shelf assemblies extending intothe display space and coupled to the shelf standards; the plurality ofshelf assemblies comprising a pair of shelf brackets with a shelfbracket pocket, each shelf bracket pocket extending substantiallyhorizontal and parallel to the traverse dimension, each shelf bracketsized and configured to couple with one of the shelf standards on theback wall, each shelf bracket having a skirt portion that extendssubstantially vertically when in the assembled position and a lipportion extending from the skirt portion at substantially a right angle;and a support rail with a pair of tabs that extend parallel to thetraverse dimension when in an assembled position and each tab has anunattached end for inserting into one of the shelf bracket pockets, thesupport rail comprising a central portion with a first height and achanneled portion with a second height, the channeled portion positionedat an end of the support rail, wherein the second height is less thanthe first height; and wherein the support rail extends between the pairof shelf brackets and the tabs of the support rail fit with the shelfbracket pockets of the pair of shelf brackets.
 17. The refrigerateddisplay case of claim 16, wherein the refrigerated display casecomprises a reach-in cooler or a multi-deck cooler.
 18. The refrigerateddisplay case of claim 16, wherein the plurality of shelf standards withthe plurality of shelf assemblies are attached to the shelf standardsthereto via one or more anchor tabs.
 19. The refrigerated display caseof claim 16, wherein the plurality of shelf assemblies comprises a shelfpositioned on the pair of shelf brackets.
 20. The refrigerated displaycase of claim 16, wherein the plurality of shelf assemblies comprises athermoplastic material or a composite material in whole or in part.